April 13, 2018 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

The Toronto Blue Jays' affiliates went 2-2 on Friday night on a night that could be the last full slate of games with heavy weather coming in to the area of Buffalo and possibly Lansing.

Buffalo Bisons 11, Indianapolis Indians 1

The triple-A Buffalo Bisons' offence churned their way around the order scoring in bunches in the fourth, sixth and seven innings to defeat the Indianapolis Indians 11-1 on Friday.

The Bisons got home runs from Jason Leblebijian, who also hit a single, walked, drove in three and scored three times, and Roemon Fields who drove in a pair and scored twice, stealing a base that set up a double steal that allowed Ian Parmley to swipe home. Jon Berti had two singles, an RBI and a run while Dwight Smith Jr. had a double and a bunt single, driving in a run. Parmley had two hits including a double, two RBI and two runs. Danny Espinosa was 2-for-5 with a double and a run while Danny Jansen was on base three times, going 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs.

Chris Rowley started and survived five innings without giving up a run despite walking five and allowing four hits without striking out anyone. Al Alburquerque gave up Indianapolis's only run on two hits in the sixth and shut them down in the seventh. Sam Moll came in to finish the game, throwing an excellent two innings, giving up just on infield hit and striking out three.

W: Chris Rowley (1-0)
HR: Roemon Fields (1), Jason Leblebijian (2)

Roster Notes: The Blue Jays recalled Teoscar Hernandez and catcher Michael De La Cruz was activated in his place.

Player of the Game: Jason Leblebijian

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 5, Hartford Yard Goats 8

The double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats had their home opener spoiled in an 8-5 loss to the Hartford Yard Goats. Jonathan Davis was outstanding in the leadoff role, going 3-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, a run and two stolen bases. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had two hits and an RBI while Max Pentecost was 2-for-4 with his first home run of the season. Andrew Guillotte was also 2-for-4 with a double and a run. Bo Bichette ran his hitting streak to seven games with a triple and a walk, scoring a run and driving one in but he also made an error (as did Lourdes Gurriel).

On the mound, Nick Tepesch took the loss, giving up six runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings while Danny Young surrendered a run in 1 2/3 innings on three hits with a strikeout. Dusty Isaacs tossed 2 2/3 innings, allowing an unearned run on only one hit and one walk, striking out four and Craig Breslow finished the game by retiring the only batter he saw.

L: Nick Tepesch (1-1)
HR: Max Pentecost (1)

Player of the Game: Jonathan Davis

Dunedin Blue Jays 1, St. Lucie Mets 2

In a tight match up, the class-A Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays could only muster one run in a 2-1 loss to the St. Lucie Mets. Josh DeGraaf struggled with walks, issuing four free passes along with four hits and two runs over 5 2/3 innings and struck out five to take the loss. Travis Bergen struck out three in 1 1/3 innings, giving up a hit and a walk while Nick Hartman finished with a scoreless eighth.

The offence was quiet with Nash Knight going 2-for-4 to boost his batting average to .364 while Joshua Palacios was 1-for-3 with a walk and Ivan Castillo was 1-for-2 with a walk and was caught stealing. Dalton Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.) began a rehab assignment and went 1-for-4 as the DH for Dunedin.

L: Josh DeGraaf (1-1)

Roster Notes: Dalton Pompey was assigned to Dunedin for a rehab assignment.

Player of the Game: None

Lansing Lugnuts 4, West Michigan Whitecaps 2

The low-A Lansing Lugnuts got into a hole through six-and-a-half innings but were able to stage a comeback as they opened a series against the West Michigan Whitecaps with a 4-2 win. Graham Spraker got the start and was strong through five innings, giving up just a run on two hits and one walk with four strikeouts. While he didn't get the win, he kept the Lugnuts in it for Turner Larkins who struck out seven over 3 1/3 innings to get the "W," giving up five hits and a walk and leaving the bases loaded in the ninth for Ty Tice who got a ground ball, scoring a runner who was charged to Larkins and then a fly out for the save.

The Lugnuts did all their scoring in a four-run seventh, seeing Samad Taylor spark a rally with a single that was followed by an error, a sac bunt by Andres Sotillo who made his season debut and a sacrifice fly by Cullen Large to score the first run. Chavez Young walked and Kevin Vicuna drove in a run with a single and was followed by Kacy Clemens who drove in two more with a single to give the Lugnuts their cushion. Overall, Vicuna was 3-for-4 with an RBI and Clemens was 2for-4 with two RBI. Christian Williams was 1-for-3 with a walk and a double and Large was 0-for-1 with a walk and an RBI on his sac fly.

W: Turner Larkins (1-1)
S: Ty Tice (3)

Roster Notes: Andres Sotillo was activated by the Lugnuts.

Player of the Game: Kevin Vicuna

Jay's Jay of the Day: Jason Leblebijian

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The 2018 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook is now available! Visit the Handbook page for more information!